What are the responsibilities and job description for the High Energy Density Science Postdoc for Initiator Applications position at Los Alamos National Laboratory?
What You Will Do
The Q-6 Detonation Science and Technology Group is seeking candidates for a postdoctoral position spanning experimental and computational physics for high energy density (HED) science.
Research in Q-6 spans the fundamental physics and applied science of energetic materials, detonators, and rapidly evolving hydrodynamic phenomena in support of national security missions. This position emphasizes short-pulse laser plasma physics relevant to ultrafast radiography platforms and detonator-related HED plasmas, including Exploding Foil Initiators (EFI), Exploding Bridgewires (EBW), and Optical Initiators (OI).
Key research activities include experimental and/or modeling efforts in initiator plasma physics, laser-plasma interactions, laser-driven radiation sources, and the development of ultrafast radiography techniques for imaging HED phenomena.
The successful candidate will contribute to building and/or modeling of a new radiography capability driven by a 10 TW Ti:Sapphire laser focused to relativistic intensities. Radiation sources will include betatron x-rays from laser-wakefield acceleration and bremsstrahlung x-rays from laser-solid interactions.
Offsite experimental campaigns are anticipated at facilities including or similar to the Zetawatt Equivalent Ultrashort Pulse (ZEUS), Colorado State University (CSU) Petawatt, and Advanced Laser Light Source (ALLS) facilities, as well as the Advanced Photon Source (APS) synchrotron. Depending on project needs, responsibilities may include experiment design and execution, diagnostics development, data analysis, and hydrodynamic modeling of HED systems.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Applicants should clearly address each of the following requirements in their cover letter:
Desired Qualifications:
Interested applicants should submit a single PDF file that includes:
Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.
Application reviews will begin the first week of July, 2025 and continue until this position is filled.
Location
Work Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.
Note to Applicants:
Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Where You Will Work
Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:
Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.
Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance. and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.
Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947.
The Q-6 Detonation Science and Technology Group is seeking candidates for a postdoctoral position spanning experimental and computational physics for high energy density (HED) science.
Research in Q-6 spans the fundamental physics and applied science of energetic materials, detonators, and rapidly evolving hydrodynamic phenomena in support of national security missions. This position emphasizes short-pulse laser plasma physics relevant to ultrafast radiography platforms and detonator-related HED plasmas, including Exploding Foil Initiators (EFI), Exploding Bridgewires (EBW), and Optical Initiators (OI).
Key research activities include experimental and/or modeling efforts in initiator plasma physics, laser-plasma interactions, laser-driven radiation sources, and the development of ultrafast radiography techniques for imaging HED phenomena.
The successful candidate will contribute to building and/or modeling of a new radiography capability driven by a 10 TW Ti:Sapphire laser focused to relativistic intensities. Radiation sources will include betatron x-rays from laser-wakefield acceleration and bremsstrahlung x-rays from laser-solid interactions.
Offsite experimental campaigns are anticipated at facilities including or similar to the Zetawatt Equivalent Ultrashort Pulse (ZEUS), Colorado State University (CSU) Petawatt, and Advanced Laser Light Source (ALLS) facilities, as well as the Advanced Photon Source (APS) synchrotron. Depending on project needs, responsibilities may include experiment design and execution, diagnostics development, data analysis, and hydrodynamic modeling of HED systems.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Applicants should clearly address each of the following requirements in their cover letter:
- Q clearance: The selected applicant will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements, which requires U.S. citizenship
- Ability to carry out independent and collaborative research in experimental and/or computational physics or a very closely related discipline.
- Ability to communicate both technically and interpersonally both orally and in writing. Examples include but are not limited to peer-reviewed journal publications, technical reports, and oral or poster conference presentations.
- Demonstrate a commitment to quality research, technical and scientific excellence, professional integrity, and personal initiative.
Desired Qualifications:
- Applicants should clearly address each of the following qualifications in their cover letter:
- Experience with data analysis tools such as Python, MATLAB, or similar.
- Hybrid candidates with experience spanning both experimental and modeling efforts are particularly encouraged to apply.
- Hands-on experience with laser-driven radiation sources or HED experimental platforms
- Radiation detection, spectroscopy, or radiography
- Development or use of optical, x-ray, or particle diagnostics
- High-power laser-matter interactions
- Hands-on experience with laser-driven radiation sources or HED experimental platforms
- Leveraging simulations to guide experimental design, interpret radiographic data, and inform diagnostic development
- Use of large-scale hydrodynamic simulation frameworks for as FLASH, FLAG, HYDRA, ALEGRA, or similar.
- Use of kinetic simulation frameworks, particularly Particle-in-Cell, such as EPOCH, VPIC, SMILEI, OSIRIS, or similar.
Interested applicants should submit a single PDF file that includes:
- Cover letter clearly addressing all Minimum Job Requirements and all Desired Qualifications
- Current CV including publications
- Summary of your current and recent research projects. Figures, tables, and schemes are encouraged
Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.
Application reviews will begin the first week of July, 2025 and continue until this position is filled.
Location
Work Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.
Note to Applicants:
Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Where You Will Work
Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:
- PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
- Dental and vision insurance
- Free basic life and disability insurance
- Paid childbirth and parental leave
- Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
- Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
- Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
- Onsite gyms and wellness programs
- Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)
Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.
Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance. and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.
- Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.
Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947.